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Joey Votto makes his spring training game debut with Cincinnati Reds after months of injury recovery

Cincinnati Reds 1B Joey Votto doesn't want to call it leadership. Instead, coming in to his 16th season in the MLB, he says his "experience" is what he hopes to share with a young team and a lot of new faces coming off of a 100-loss season. To do that, Votto talks about how he has softened his approach as a teammate with a newer generation full of different perspectives. Votto said before his season-ending surgery last year, he struggled; not with the pain, but not realizing his limitations due a "jacked up" shoulder.

By: Molly Schramm

Posted at 4:00 PM, Mar 12, 2023

and last updated 2023-03-12 16:08:09-04

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Joey Votto is back and making his spring training debut Sunday.

The 39-year-old has been recovering from surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and his left bicep in his arm. Prior to Sunday's game, Votto played in simulated minor league games Friday and Saturday.

The Reds announced Votto's return via social media.

Joey. Votto. Is. Back. #RedsST pic.twitter.com/5ax5bDuEAA
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) March 12, 2023

If he continues to play in spring training games, it'll give Votto two weeks before opening day on March 30.

In February, Votto told WCPO he as feeling good months after the season-ending injury.

"I feel like I'm making good progress," Votto said in a previous interview with WCPO's Marshall Kramsky. "Every day, I'm taking one step closer to getting back in uniform, playing games, competing."

Prior to the surgery, Votto was posting the worst batting average of his major league career, hitting just .205 with 41 runs batted in through 91 games. He admitted the season was tough on him.

"I didn't realize how jacked up my arm and shoulder was at the time," Votto said. "And before, it was a real struggle because I didn't feel like I could compete, perform, do the things I was used to doing and it was nice to know it wasn't my performance, I had some limitations."

As he participates in spring training, Votto said he's looking forward to building new relationships as he sees fewer familiar faces in Arizona.

Despite the newer — and younger — faces, Votto said there's talent on this year's Reds roster, and he believes they'll perform better than they have recently.

"Again, a younger group ... (but) we will be in a much better place than in previous years," Votto said.

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